I’m down in Florida with the family and smiling big big every minute! I hope you are too!
Here’s a few pics from the Nossi School of Art admin and staff holiday party… what can I say, I love my coworkers!
Check out those Amazon Gift Cards our team won at trivia! We killed it!
Have the happiest merriest Christmas and a splendoriffic New Year! See ya in 2022!!
Feeling well at home at home again in the sunny land of citrus!
Cruisin on my stepdad’s boat with Alan
12.25.2022
I know other peoples’ family portraits aren’t always the most exciting artwork to look at, which is part of the reason why I don’t share all of my commissions publicly, but this is one I’m especially proud of. Not only because of the meaningful concept, but because of the rough references I had to pull magic out of.
I was asked by my client to combine this photo of her grandma in an old photograph…
with this much more recent photo of her father, which was facing the wrong direction and with different lighting….yikes!
I really had to do my very best to blow up the image and pull out as many details as possible. Like these lovely blue eyes I didn’t even realize she had!
Here’s a little side-by-side comparison to see what I was able to get out of these images. I have turned down super out of focus image references in the past, simply explaining that I can only use what’s there so if the ‘info’ is not in the photo, then the painting surely won’t be able to make it up accurately.
I’m glad I didn’t have to turn down this one though, since my clients grandma is deceased and that’s the only photo she was able to get of her. Luckily the dad’s pic was much clearer and I was able to flip it and rework the shadows just a bit to match the grandmother’s light source.
And I even made a lil video of the process:
Well I will say it was definitely a challenge, but you know I kinda like those, so all was great in the end.
And most important of all my client loved it, she even told me it brought her own mama to tears. That definitely makes it all worth it:)
If you’re interested in a custom oil painting or pencil drawing of your family, feel free to drop me a message at caleigh@caleighbirdart.com
12.22.2021
Happy Holiday 2021! Woo hoo, another year under the belt:)
I recently impulse-bought a pack of blank watercolor paper postcards and got so inspired to gift a few simple nature originals to my family in Canada, who is so far away and I miss so much!
They turned out to be a really great way to spend not too much time obsessing over a ‘perfect’ painting, and rather just a delightful way to get creative by gathering some nature inspo to share with some of the folks I love the most.
I bought this pack at my local art store, but certainly you could just make your own postcards out of any watercolor paper that is thick enough to withstand the mail (or by putting them in an envelope like me to protect them instead!). Just make sure to keep the postcard to regulatory size, which is around 4x6 inches if you plan on using a postcard stamp or 5x7 inches if you don’t mind using a forever stamp. And of course make sure to print the address on the right side of the back with your special message on the left, just like any postcard you would buy from a gift shop.
Here are all the materials I use in the video. Any purchases through my special links help to support this channel at no cost to you, so thanks!
Titanium White: https://bit.ly/344AceH
Azo Yellow: https://bit.ly/3ApQTPe
Gamborge Yellow: https://bit.ly/39husjc
Napthol Red: https://bit.ly/311Z0lP
Cerulean Blue: https://bit.ly/2PXJtNx
Permanent Green Light: https://bit.ly/2XG47ZR
Payne’s Grey: https://bit.ly/3g59q8t
Princeton Size 1 Round Brush: https://bit.ly/3gFb7cT
Da Vinci Size 0/2 Round Brush: https://bit.ly/2CqUxiK
Da Vinci Size 2 Filbert Brush: https://bit.ly/2NdkwMv
And I don't have the link for the exact brand of postcards I found at my local art store, but these are both close:
Watercolor Postcards (rounded corner): https://bit.ly/32l3PcM
Mixed Media Postcards (square corner): https://bit.ly/3snRG1Q
12.22.2021
You ever struggle painting different kinds of materials, specifically various fabrics, in your oil painting?
Well sometimes I do too.
So let’s figure this one out together! Let’s paint a knit sweater (because I have to figure it out for a commissioned portrait anyways - ha!)
UPDATE: Here it is finished!! I hope by sussing the sweater out on camera it helped us both learn something new:)
12.5.2021
Welcome back to the Nest! One of these days I may settle down and quit moving so much, but until then, enjoy yet another studio apartment/art studio tour!
This one will be different though, because this is the first time in 6 years I’ve been able to have my art and nature collections out on display.. so get ready to see some one of a kind and unusual pieces!
If you love all the organizational possibilities of the the Mollie Ollie caddy as much as I do, pop over to this link with the discount code 10Caleigh https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089RRRJN3#CaleighBirdArt
11.26.2021
I just wanted to pop on during this special day of sharing thanks to tell each and every one of my supporters how much you mean to me. I know I have been a little less active these last few months (teaching college really is a full time job - what do you know?!?) but I am not going anywhere and I appreciate you for being patient.
The rest of 2021 and the first few months of 2022 will be much less hectic for me and I’m looking forward to getting back in the swing of things and back into making art on a more regular basis.
I hope you have had the chance to hug some loved ones this holiday season! Hopefully at least more so than in 2020! xo Birdie
11.25.2021
Woo hoo time for your yearly dose of fresh Caleigh Bird Art!!
This year I have decided not to do calendars for a few reasons, but I am doing a super duper fantastic print pre-sale instead! Each giclee print is a gallery quality 290 gsm with hand applied gold leaf, making each print a one of a kind.
This will be the last time in 2021 to snag a print, and for some of these paintings it may be the only time to get a copy for yourself! Pop over to my shop and grab one for you and one for a gift :)
Every print will be hand embellished with gold leafing making each one an original work of art, and will arrive in time for gifting if you’re being so kind as to give artwork to those that you love.
I only release pre-sale print opportunities a few times a year so this will be it for 2021! Don’t miss out!
11.19.2021
Oh my goodness! Now you know I'mma Bird who loves to oil paint sooo much, but even my patience has its limits! There were so many challenges, obstacles, and learning curves to creating this work of art that I almost though it might not actually happen!
Luckily, a few people and some serendipitous events magically aligned to allow me to make a truly captivating work of art that I honestly can't wait to show off in person. Time to get to work on making that happen next!
Here is my lovely ‘Siren of the Palms’. She measures 15x15” and I could not be more thrilled with how each and every layer turned out. I’m thinking I’ll probably do a limited edition print run before the holidays…
Want to learn all about oil painting? Check out my Complete Guide to Oil Painting playlist on YouTube or as a totally free course on Skillshare:
Here are a few vids on my Layered Resin Art techniques:
A huge Thank You to my collaborator @greatcreatorvision
10.17.21
I’m so excited I can’t wait to share my (almost) finished oil painting of this Palm Princess.. or maybe Palm Siren.. or maybe Zebra Princess… I still don’t know what I want to call her yet.
My last few paintings have been named in some way after Mother Earth, but there’s something a little more intense and a little less nurture-y about this shadow splashed wahine.
And don’t even get me started on figuring out how to do shadow-striped hair! Wowza - that took just as much willpower as it did brainpower!
She’s not finished quite yet, I still have to add in the resin of course… but she’s almost there! Sooo exciting!!
Stay tuned to my YouTube channel because her grand debut is coming out this Sunday!
Thank you to @greatcreatorvision for the collab reference image!
10.13.2021
Do not get sued! Yikes!
Every website these days (yes, even your teeny tiny lil humble artist portfolio) must have five legal items on it to make sure you are compliant for visitors in the US and the EU. I was unaware until recently just how essential these things are, so as soon as I figured out how to be compliant, I wanted to share them with you!
5 Things you Definitely Need on Your Art Website:
Privacy Policy You have to tell folks what kind of data your website tracks and how you’re going to use it. There are different requirements for the US and Europe so you’d better make sure to follow all the rules!
Cookie Banner + Policy Letting people know you are taking analytics and giving them the option to opt out of non-essential monitoring. This is also about the personal privacy of your website visitors.
Terms + Conditions This tells folks that if they are on your website, it’s on your terms. This lets people know what to expect so they can’t get upset and sue you for being offended by your content, or if they simply don’t like the way you do business. This part tells people, hey , if you don’t like it, then leave because by staying on my website you are agreeing to using my website in the way that I, the creator, see fit. This also let’s folks know that they cannot take your content off your website and use it as their own, but if they submit comments or images to your site, then you can use them for anything.
Disclaimer The disclaimer tells people that your website and its content are your opinion and any instruction or advice they get from you is their own responsibility and you do not guarantee everything to be perfect or without flaw. It also let’s people know that you do not guarantee any company, product, or third party that may be featured on your website either.
Refund Policy Definitely essential if you ever want to sell goods or services, that way there is no question should an issue ever arise. This one can be written by you in casual, understandable English according to however your particular policies are and don’t need to be written in legalese.
I am not affiliated with them and get no money from you using their services, nor can I legally bind myself to or guarantee their products. This is just a simple recommendation of what I am using for my website.
https://www.websitepolicies.com/
10.3.2021
